Eric Black said after the match, "The players deserve all the credit". And there's no doubt that they put in a hard shift. But Black and Butcher are entitled to their share of the praise too.
In a tense, end to end, exciting game played under the lights at Fir Park Eric Black kept the same side and formation as the previous week when they sneaked a late goal to gain a point against Big Eck's Hibs team.
And once again the other Eric, Deloumeaux, was the rock on which the defence was based. We have found a central defender! He was immense again this week and surely must become among the first names on the team sheet each week.
A streaker at Fir Park
But he was not alone. Strong and Ready seemed to gain a sureness of foot with the security of the Frenchman in the area, and from this solid base the midfield gained the confidence to hold the ball and attempt to play the passing game.
We got the opener in fifteen minutes. A free kick was played into the box and Elliott took control of the ball but his back was to the goal and there seemed little he could do. Keith Lasley approached at speed from midfield and Elliott laid the ball into his path. The young midfielder struck as sweet a shot as you could imagine and the ball flew into the net passing Klos on his right. A dream start against the run of play. Rangers had a few chances before the opener but a deflection off Strong went wide and Arveladze fluffed an excellent opportunity from the eighteen yard line.
As expected the visitors poured on the pressure but it looked like we could reach the break still one ahead. However a pacy cross was not cleared and the ball fell to the six yard line where a scramble followed. A Rangers' toe poked the ball into the net - all square at the break.
Our worst spell of the match followed. We had a fifteen minute spell when we gave up possession too easily. Passes were wayward and it looked like we could concede a goal. And indeed we did. But two minutes before they scored we could have been two up. The impressive McFadden took it upon himself to have a run from midfield he found himself in the box with a good shooting chance but he finished weakly. Then a McCann in swinging corner flew into the net after Brown misjudged the flight in the crowded area and the ball struck Kelly's back. We were behind.
Although many in the home end felt that our chance had gone the team were cheered on with enthusiasm as they began to take the game back under control. Soloy, who's control and industry impressed the fans, was replaced by Corrigan and sleeves were rolled up.
There was action at both ends - Brown had a superb save from McCann - then the equaliser. From the Cooper stand it looked like a penalty. A cross into the box struck Ricksen's raised arm. Ned Kelly grabbed the ball and dispatched it with his usual efficiency, though Klos did get a hand to the ball.
The last ten minutes were tense. The visitors threw everything up field in an attempt to win the match and Moore was dismissed for his brutal tackle on Lasley, who was stretchered off the park.
Eric Black keeps his undefeated record at Fir Park, we had a streaker in the second half and we were introduced to a Samba band who tried to drum the fans into a frenzy before the game and at the interval. A good day's work indeed.
Bring on the Hearts next week.! It's good to be a 'Well fan.